The Government of Ghana has condemned the United States for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were taken from Venezuela by U.S. forces on Saturday, January 3 2026.
In a release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday in Accra, it stated that Ghana expresses strong reservations against unilateral use of force and strongly deplores such acts that violate the Charter of the United Nations and international law, as well as the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of States.
“The Ghanaian Government is keenly following the situation in Venezuela with great concern, and notes that such assaults on international law, attempts at the occupation of foreign territories and apparent external control of oil resources have extremely adverse implications on international stability and the global order,” it said.
According to the release, Ghana also noted with deep concern statements by US President, Donald Trump, that the US will “run” Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” and that US large oil companies will be asked to “go in.”
It said, these declarations are reminiscent of the colonial and imperialist era. They set a dangerous precedent for the global order. Such colonial ambitions should have no place in the post-Second World War era.
“To allow this is to put the international community at great risk and undermine the sovereignty of every country. Ghana, therefore, reaffirms its commitment to the principle of self-determination and holds the firm view that only the Venezuelan people should freely determine their political and democratic future,” it noted.
It said, Ghana calls for immediate de-escalation and the release of President Maduro and his wife.
“The Government of Ghana shall maintain and defend its long-held principled position against invasion, occupation, colonialism, apartheid, disregard for sovereignty and all forms of violation of international law,” it added.
Joyce Adwoa Animia Ocran, ISD
